Things About Smiley

I know, I know... most people don't wait six weeks plus to announce the birth of their child, but I've been busy, so:

HE'S HERE!!!

I thought I'd just share a little list of things about Smiley:

1. He was born after only four hours of labor. I was only at the hospital for one hour before he was born. The doctor didn't make it in time for the delivery. A resident caught him.

2. He is the happiest baby there ever was. He has smiled since the day he was born, thus the name. And he saves his cries for when he really needs them. :)

3. He has black hair and blue eyes (really blue. I don't think they'll change colors).

4. Big sister loves him very very much.

5. And so do we. ;)

Preparing for the new baby

Image: handmaidenbymaria

We are well on our way to preparing for the new baby. I realized suddenly that we have just over a month left to get ready... and we were not even started yet! It's harder to get ready for your second child, because you are so busy taking care of the first one! I haven't really had a lot of time to celebrate the fact that we are going to have a new little one, what with hubby's new job, a big move, and a sweet little girl to take care of.

So yesterday I cleared out some room in Doodlebug's cabinet and washed and folded all the tiny little baby clothes we've been given or had saved. I got them all sorted by size and the very tiniest are ready and waiting in the cabinet for our baby boy to come home. It was so strange to think that Doodlebug used to be that size! We will need to do some remodeling in the RV so we can fit a chest of drawers before winter (winter clothes take up more space), but for now there is room.

There is so much left to do, and I seem to be in a fit of nesting. It has been very hot here, so I'm trying to get things done during the heat of the day when we have to be inside under the A/C anyway. I still need to preregister for the hospital and pack a bag for myself, as well as a bag of special toys for Doodlebug (she will be in the delivery room with us most of the time). If anyone has any recommendations for an AWESOME toy for a two year old that's pretty quiet I would appreciate them.

I've been trying to keep up with my blog and pre-write some posts, but obviously I'll be pretty silent for most of the month of May. I still have April, though!

A farm girl, an RV, and a dream

I just had to share these adorable pictures of my baby! You know Sunbonnet Sue? Well this is Raincoat Doodlebug! These are from the last time we went to visit my parents' farm.

Doodlebug loves to water the garden, collect eggs from the chickens, feed the goats and the dog. She likes to do anything to "help" her Grammy and Gramps with farm chores. She even has her own cute little set of real garden tools from Lehmans so she can help. She is learning to not be afraid of the geese (and so am I!). It is so cute how she tells them, "No! No!" She calls chickens "ooh-oohs" (as in cock-a-doodle-doo) and ducks "meep meeps" (which really is more accurate than quack, I think).

Seeing how she loves doing the farm chores makes me long all the more for our someday homestead. One of the best things about having the RV is that someday we can buy land and we won't have to worry about the house. We can either build ourselves or spend as much time as we need fixing something up while we live in the RV.

Still dreaming...



A Grain Free/ Low Sugar Birthday Party

We recently celebrated our little Doodlebug's 2nd birthday!

We have been making an effort to eat as little grains and sugar as we can, but I still wanted to have a special treat for her big day. I made cupcakes from this muffin recipe (minus the lemon juice) and added a frosting made with cream cheese, super dark chocolate, cocoa, and a little agave nectar.

And if anyone is curious, Doodlebug got play-dough, a Mr. Potato Head, and a musical instument set. :)

A New Path

So remember those big changes I mentioned in my homestead update? Time to get them all out.

First and foremost, we're going to have another baby! I am due in May, and we are very excited. Doodlebug is going to be a great big sister. I don't think she really understands what is going on, but it's so cute to watch her feed and kiss her "babies".

Also, we will be moving soon. I am having a little trouble adjusting to this one, as neither of us has seen the town we will be moving to, and I've never lived this far from my family of origin. Plus, when we moved here I really thought that this would be our forever home. But, hubby got offered a job and it is a great opportunity for us.  We will be making a scouting trip soon, and I really hope it is nice there. I am determined to be content no matter where we go, so I am going to make the best of it. Even if we end up in an apartment, I will still be homesteading. It's more of a mindset to be as self-sufficient and live as sustainably as possible, and you can do that anywhere.

So there you go. Big changes coming for our family. Keep us in your prayers, please.